What are the visa and post-study work permit options for one-year corporate LLM programs versus STEM-designated LLM programs in the US?

One-year corporate LLM and STEM-designated LLM programs in the US offer different post-study work options, though both use the F-1 student visa.

- Corporate LLM: After graduation, you get up to 12 months of OPT (Optional Practical Training) for work related to your field. No extension is available for non-STEM programs.
- STEM-designated LLM: You get the same initial 12 months of OPT, plus a possible 24-month STEM OPT extension (total up to 36 months), if your job is with an E-Verify employer and your program qualifies as STEM.

Not all LLMs are STEM-designated, so extended work authorization depends on program eligibility.